plate no. 6915

February - Wintry Sky

Yamamura Toyonari, 1924

oilShin-hangaportraitportraitwomanhairkimonoscarfprofile

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering smooth gradients, creating patterns, and understanding color relationships in portraiture. It also encourages careful observation of form and detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the angle of the head and the placement of features.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the background, hair, skin, kimono, and scarf.
step 03
Develop the values within each area, creating smooth gradients in the hair and skin.
step 04
Add the pattern to the kimono using a fine brush, carefully following the curves of the fabric.
step 05
Paint the details of the hair ornaments and the scarf stripes.
step 06
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle curves of the nose, lips, and eyes.
step 07
Add the calligraphy and seal in the upper right corner.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious overall effect.

color palette

primary · ivory · black · blue · green

secondary · red · gold

Mix ivory with small amounts of black, red, or blue to create the subtle skin tones. Use a dark blue as a base for the kimono, adding white to create the lighter lines. Mix a muted green for the scarf.

techniques